Suella Braverman calls them ‘hate marches’ but we went on one and it was wholesome and motivated by a love of justice, including Jewish people, Muslims, Christians and, we assume, pretty much every other faith perspective. This episode takes you inside (a bit).

Beer and Hymns is one of our favourite things. That rhymes, like a good hymn should. Our guest on this episode is Steve Tinning, who helps make Beer and Hymns happen at Greenbelt festival, and who also works in issues like Asylum policy for JPIT and the Baptist Union.

Israel’s war on Gaza is already wildly disproportionate and affecting civilians who have nowhere else to go. We had to talk about it and show solidarity with Palestine because so many Christians seem to be ignoring what is really happening.

Greenbelt Festival is a progressive, feminist, LGBTQI+ affirming, Palestine-solidarity, post-capitalist, Christian, spiritual festival of arts, justice, ideas and music. It’s way more fun than that makes it sound. This is our experience of it in 2023.

Trans and non-binary Christians exist. They are beloved and valuable parts of the Body of Christ. URC minister and former Goth Alex Clare-Young talks to Beer Christianity about their spiritual journey, their transition and how the two were intertwined. They also help us understand a bunch of stuff, from trans theology to how to be better allies.

Trans exclusion at the highest levels of sport ultimately affects more people than you may think. We hear from queer trans activist and educator Cleo Madeleine about the history of enforced gender binaries in sport, trans identity in faith communities and people of faith in queer communities.

How are the origins of Greenbelt Festival (50 this year) linked to the Hippie movement? When and why did churches stop sending youth groups to Greenbelt? And why, now, might they start sending them again? Festival Director Paul Northup talks history, spiritual impact and how Greenbelt has always felt different from other Christian festivals.

What can we learn from the latest scandal? ‘Not much’ according to one guest. But perhaps we CAN do better in future, if we understand why good organisations turn blind eyes to bad things. Listen to Episode 79 for a run-down on what we are calling the Celebrity Christian Halo Effect, and what you can do to combat it.

Why does this keep happening? How are popular leaders so prone to committing abuse (or behaving incredibly badly)? Who are the people who worked with them and how do they feel now? We try to answer some of these questions without trying to defend the indefensible or condemn human beings rather than actions.

Laughing at the deaths of billionaires - we found it disturbing, but is it ever okay to make light of an oppressor’s misfortune? We ask listeners, hear from a talented comedian and consider the ethics of jokes, wealth and power in Episode 77 of Beer Christianity: The billionaire sub.

Fancy coming on a little tour of rural English graveyards? Too bad, you’re coming. We promise pretty epitaphs, a quest to find an author’s grave and just one story about an animal carcass in a churchyard. We’re dying to share it with you!

Why would Christians object to the coronation? What are the reasons some Christians dislike the monarchy in general? What kinda fascist things happened around the coronation and, more importantly, who are our hosts' favourite kings?

If the Church is going through a new Reformation (towards a more progressive, inclusive and liberal existence), then Brian McLaren is its Martin Luther. Or John Calvin. Or that Scottish guy.

What we're saying is, for those who are unfamiliar with his work or reputation, he's a big dog in the world of not just progressive Christianity, but Christianity overall, especially over the last few years. Ever since A New Kind of Christian (2001) and A Generous Orthodoxy (2005), McLaren has drawn ire from evangelicals, fundamentalists and all the other kinds of Christians who feel it is their duty to police the boundaries of truth and legitimate witness.

He's not uncontroversial, is what we're saying. But Jonty found him lovely when interviewing him years ago and, when Malky and Laura got the chance at Greenbelt festival 2022, they loved him too.

In this exclusive interview with Brian McLaren, Beer Christianity talks to the influential writer and thinker about the four stages of the spiritual journey, stage theory in general, McLaren's new book Should I stay Christian? and what it's like to draw so much hate (or the cold shoulder) from more traditional side sof the church.

It's a really good chat. We discuss it in detail and give our own thoughts as well, because THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

Enjoy!

Is it okay for Christians to make New Year’s resolutions? Here are ours!

Is there a war on Christmas? Is anyone forcing us to say Happy Holidays? Or are we being festive snowflakes? What are the Beer Christianity hosts’ current favourite Christmas movies and songs? Episode 72 is a Holiday Miracle.

Dr Leroy Logan served in the Metropolitan police for 30 years, eventually becoming a superintendent and helping to found the Black Police Association.
Dr Logan talked to Jonty at Greenbelt festival in a lively press tent about his views on policing, defunding the police, slogans like ACAB and his views on justice in the legal system and society.

Symon Hill made headlines when he was arrested for shouting: 'Who elected him?' during the proclamation of Charles Windsor as King in Oxford.

Symon is a Christian, historian and peace activist and he is our guest for episode 70. Symon shares his surprise at being arrested, his concerns over free speech and democracy in Britain, and the deeply uncomfortable experience of being on the same side as Piers Morgan (this once).

Protest, democracy, monarchy and the police on Beer Christianity.

Queen Elizabeth II has died and Beer Christianity has great sympathy for her family, some sympathy for strangers who loved her and very little sympathy for those cynically emulating or prescriptively enforcing mourning.

Join us as we try to understand what's behind the love and criticism for both the former monarch and the institution of monarchy in the 21st century from a Christian leftist perspective.

Honestly, most of us didn't have strong feelings on monarchy until this week. But the pressure to accept strange narratives pushed several of us into more passionately monarchist territory. Well done, media. 

We laugh a lot at the cynical performative mourning we've seen from celebs and corporations in this episode, but we try to stay respectful of individuals who have feelings that are different from our own. 

We have no illusions that this will prevent us from getting angry letters. 

(If you're confused about the marmalade thing, that's probably for the best. It's quite mad.)

What are the five stages of the spiritual life (as identified by Brian McLaren)? Do we dilute the Gospel by starting with the bad news? And have you ever peed on a frog?

These important questions all come up in this, our second episode from Greenbelt festival 2022.

Greenbelt was wonderful this year. You should go to the next one.

A festival review is only a sort of festival, as Graham Greene sort of said. Everyone's experience of Greenbelt, in particular, will be different.

This episode shares our thoughts about the best parts we experienced of Britain's best and most inclusive festival, but we'd love to hear what your highlights were. So please get in touch!